I want to get rid of (via donations, craigslist, ebay, freecycle, etc) at least 100 things before moving day. On one hand the number sounds kinda high, but on the other hand, I know there are at least 100 things in our house that we never use, need, or should spend time and effort moving. And I actually plan to keep track, writing all 100 items down on a piece of paper in list form. Why? Because I’m weird like that.
To kick things off I went through my shoes (pun intended). Amazingly, I realized that I hadn’t worn a good amount of them since leaving NYC and moving to Richmond 4+ years ago. How embarrassing.
I ended up with ten pairs of shoes in my toss/Goodwill/ebay pile. Not too bad considering I had just 18 in my keep pile (although my definite-keeper Puma sneakers were out in the sunroom for a grand total of 19). That means I’m ready to say “hasta la vista” (in my best Schwarzenegger accent) to over a third of all the shoes that I own.
Sidenote:The blue-gray bedroom wall looks so green in this picture- clearly I still have a lot to learn about the new camera.
So although that’s actually 20 things I’m getting rid of (since there are two shoes per pair) I’m counting the shoe purge as ten items just to be fair. Now to find 90 more things to get gone. Somebody wish me luck. And stay tuned for an update to see if I’m able to reach my weird little goal…
Is anyone else out there cutting the fat at home and pairing things down in a major way? Let’s commiserate.
LE says
We’re doing the same thing at my place. We started when we realized we needed to redo the downstairs and would need to move everything upstairs first. Coats and kitchen items were big on our list. Coats and kitchen items were what we gave away – including a kitchen sink! great project!
Becka @ Life as an Artistpreneur says
We got rid of soooooo much stuff when we moved last time. It’s really freeing letting junk go. We were brutal with our stuff but it’s worth it because it sucks to unload box after box of stuff you don’t want. It’s better to just let it all go before the move! Congrats on your first 10 things. :)
Clare says
Your post inspired me to get rid of stuff! My husband and I are moving soon so i figured this is the perfect opportunity to give to good will! I just put about 20 items of clothing in a large bag and there is still more to go! Thank you for motivating me! :-)
Elizabeth says
Great idea inspired me to start getting rid of a lot of stuff since I will be moving to Italy with my then husband this coming July! Thanks for the much needed motivation (:
judi says
we’re not moving (yet), but i have lots of reasons this totally inspired me. first our house has just been feeling cluttered so that’s reason enough, but on the moving front, i’d sort of like it to be an option so might as well get a head start. plus this seems like just a good new year’s resolution type of thing anyway, even if i didn’t have relocating on the brain. i’m so going to try this!
Beth-BTW says
Good thing to do. We did it before moving a couple of years back (we had a LOT more stuff to purge, though) and it was very liberating.
I read an article in, I think, O Magazine a few years back about getting rid of 50 things. The writer suggested that 50 of one thing didn’t count as separate items – for example, 50 magazines wouldn’t cut it. Since you have so little “extra” in your house, though, I’d say count the shoes as 10!
Dayna says
Hi Sherry,
I have a question for you; I always have good intentions regarding getting rid of things and often do in a fit of just not being able to take it and wanting that “Pottery Barn” catalogue home (only with 2 young sons, husband and big dog it is hard). I talk a good game to others but when it comes to myself I fail. Why do I need to hang on to all of their school work? Things that are sentimental. This will sound silly, but did you keep your wedding shoes in that pile? Your dress? Looking back my dress, shoes, etc., were very early nineties big, big, like a Disney movie princess. I longed for something simple, because I am so understated and simple in style, but my mom saw me in the dress and…Okay, that’s another story…What are your hard core rules. A dear friend who was like a mentor to me and the most simple, elegant woman I know used to tell me “if you have a picture of it…” This was when I couldn’t give up my kids clothes…that special outfit, etc…I am rambling, but find my home with more that I like at the moment and need a good bonk on the noggin’ and swift kick in the pants to remind me of what I really need. We all have that scenario in our heads of someone saying “hey remember those platform shoes that blah, blah, blah…” and we pull a pair out saying “you mean these?” OMG that just sounded nuts. As always, you all are wonderful and I just love, love, love this blog. Thanks for reading this!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Dayna,
I actually got rid of my wedding shoes! They no longer fit well since my feet are bigger after being prego so I figured they weren’t worth the wasted real estate (aka: the room in my closet). I’d rather just store things I love and use and find to be helpful on a daily basis. I did keep my wedding dress because it’s short and simple (I actually dyed it pewter gray and wear it to other formal events as often as I can). And we agree about the picture thing! It’s a great way to save a memory without taking up much space!
xo,
s
Laura says
On the topic of getting rid of things, I would love your advice on the matter of hand-made gifts. With our first baby coming in January, it’s closet cleaning time. It’s easy to toss stuff we bought but just haven’t used, however, I find myself *completely torn* when it comes to hand-made gifts people have given us.
We have one particularly loving relative who loves craft projects and has given us many cross-stitches, paintings, knitted items. As much as we love this relative, a lot of these items are, errr….eyesores (I have hung a few though anyway). What is your take on disposing of hand-made decor like this? Are you torn about it? I feel bad, but with the impending baby I’ve become more liberal with the goodwill pile.
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Laura,
That’s a toughie! It’s sounds harsh, but we think that life’s too short to hang onto anything out of obligation. Your house should be full of things you love. Maybe try putting them in a bin in your attic or basement for a while and then slowly donating many of them (keeping one or two for good measure)? Good luck!
xo,
s
Molly Payne-Hardin says
Funny you should ask, YHL! Because my recent purging has been inspired by VOUS! And Design Sponge :). After finding YHL (thanks, Nate!) I finally feel like I can get my home style on in a really high quality way within my budget. But first, BIG WADE N’ TOSS (aka donate) through ye-eears of furniture and home accessories that are every style that I semi-tried-on-but-never-really-committed to over the years. You know?! Of course you do! So thanks! And happy tossing! Molly in Fla.
Molly Payne-Hardin says
Do you guys have a price range for something you’d post on ebay or craig’s list? My husband and I tend to take the route of Goodwill (tax deduction) for most stuff unless it’s something $200+ that we could consign or something unique that we’d like another collector to have (for ebay). You? Thanks! Molly in Fla.
YoungHouseLove says
Hmm, maybe $50? If something is worth $50 on ebay, it’s worth the effort for us to sell it in our cheap-o minds.
xo,
s
Tiffany says
You guys are so calculated and organized that it makes my poor, ADD-riddled brain hurt. I envy you! If I started a project like this it would go something like this:
1. Start list
2. Go look for things to chunk.
3. Where is my list? I know I had it…ooh! Is that a bird? (Go outside to look at bird).
4. Come back inside and get distracted by something on TV or a dish in the sink.
5. Finish that and get distracted by the internet.
6. Oh, I was getting rid of things.
7. Go back to getting rid of things and get distracted by the realization that I haven’t watered the plants lately.
8. Water the plants.
9. I think there was something I was supposed to be doing.
10. Internet? Laundry? Walk the dog? Pizza sounds good!
MY LIFE!!! Again, I envy you!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, that sounds like a pretty fun life. Maybe we’re the ones who envy you!
xo,
s
MegMD says
Thanks for the post! I’m thinking of stealing your -100 idea to implement after Christmas — y’know, that time of year when you have a pile of stuff that needs to be integrated with the rest of the already-burgeoning piles of stuff. It’ll be a great way to spend a little vacation time and start the new year!
Haley says
Have you read the book Throw Out Fifty Things, by Gail Blanke? It’s an easy and good read discussing getting rid of all sorts of things, clutter, stuff, clothes, paperwork, guilt, fear etc etc!
Courtney Vollmer says
Moving tip: (and I’ve moved many times) Keep an empty box next to every one that you’re unpacking. If there’s any question about if it can fit into the cabinet or why you actually packed it, put it in the box. At the end of the unpacking, take another close look at the contents, remove anything that needs to stay then tape up the box and take it to Goodwill. No matter how organized you are, at the end of the move there is a lot of dumping stuff into boxes!
Barbara says
I have 45 years experience in accumulating stuff. When I retired 15 years ago, I started in getting rid of stuff. I’d pick a spot and declutter with the discards going to my church tag sale or the Goodwill. There is a huge improvement and I still keep working at it.
Kid clutter can be the worst. I saved my kids most used toys for my grandchildren and they have been handy to have and enjoyed by another generation. Even limit those to one tote unless you think you will be providing full-time day care to your grandchildren. Artwork can be a nightmare. Photograph the best and then use them to wrap presents for the grandparents. I would try and have a good-sized picture frame for each child so that something is always on display and it looks like part of your decor. Keep a tote for each child to store memorabilia in. Reevaluate with your child each year as you add the most recent year’s treasures. Making choices is a good skill to teach your child.
Since I haven’t moved in 40 years, I am making a list of all the wonderful hints your readers have submitted so that when moving day does come, I”ll be ready.
Larissa says
Yes!!! We’re expecting our first baby in March and my goal is to get rid of everything we don’t need and find a place for everything we do. We’re in a one bedroom apartment with a 175lb mastiff “puppy”. Where on earth are we going to put a baby?! I’d love to know what you might do with your sweet little girl if you guys were living in a smaller space with no room for a nursery.
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Larissa,
We’ve seen some amazing tiny house tours on apartmenttherapy.com where people have all sorts of creative solutions! One that comes to mind is a crib mattress that’s on wheels and rolls out from under the bed in the master bedroom like a trundle. Talk about space saving efficiency!
xo,
s
RJ says
Wow, great goal! I’m always decluttering {love cheapcycle + freecycle, I don’t even have to leave the house to get rid of my clutter!}. We moved a year ago and it’s surprising how much ‘stuff’ I’ve got piled up to go as we reno our basement and make room for baby-on-the-way!
Hayden says
Not sure if anyone has mentioned this or not, but a great way to get rid of items that you don’t want but can’t bring yourself to toss because they still work, could be useful to someone else, would make you sad to think about them sitting in a landfill, etc., is to see if local theater groups could use them as props. High schools, community theater groups, professional theaters, and the like would all be great places to offer your items. You never know when a play or musical will call for a crazy plaid couch or lots of needlework pillows to help set the scene! Your items still remain useful to someone, but don’t take up any more room in your home, and the theater doesn’t have to worry about spending lots of money to put together a great looking set for each show. And how much fun would it be to see an old chandelier or gold frame mirror of yours actually in a show? I remember my parents donating their stuff this way when I was a little girl, and I would get so excited when I would recognize a prop that used to be in my home. It was a great way for my parents to teach me that there is more than one way to recycle and donate, and that it can be done with fun and unique results.
Vanessa says
I just finished a book called “Throw Out 50 Things” but according to this book all of those shoes would count as one, that’s right ONE, item. Multiples of one category count as ONE. Yikes. How’s that 100 sounding now!?
Good luck on the purge and move. As a former military spouse I can attest to the power of pre-move purging! You’ll still be amazed at the stuff you moved and think “why did we do that?”
And yes, Garden Ridge rocks!
Amy @ Chestnut Tree Lane says
I love this idea.
Just a note (which I hope hasn’t already been covered!) to share an idea for a potential donation item (or items!). If you find any old towels, baby washcloths, blankets etc that you no longer have use for most animal shelters are always in need of them and will gladly accept the donation.
Good luck with the 100 item purge!
Erin says
I once tried the hundred things challenge, or whatever popular name it had at the time, where you reduce your positions to just 100 things. I was really intent on this because I was apartment hunting in Richmond at the time. Those cute Carytown apartments can be realllly tiny. But I quickly realized that I had trouble deciding what counted as a single thing.. (each shoe can’t really count as one.. but what about spoons or forks or plates in my kitchen.) and abandoned the idea.
A couple months ago I bought my first house. I figured it being just me I wouldn’t have nearly enough things to fill the two bedrooms, living room, sun room, bathroom and kitchen. Well, I was wrong. I’ve decided, before I buy myself anything new, I’m getting together a hefty goodwill pile. Maybe I’ll attempt a hundred things challenge in this direction instead.
Selina says
If you’re getting rid of any home decor items, please let me know what you’re planning to sell (or just let me know what your ebay username is so I can search for myself). You and I have similar design taste and you’d probably have something I’d love to buy from you!
YoungHouseLove says
We’ll definitely share the links to any eBay listings if we go that route!
xo,
s
Lindsey says
Are you posting those shoes on EBay? Cuz some of them look really cute from here! (One woman’s trash… :)
YoungHouseLove says
I’m thinking I might try consigning them locally first (it’s just easier than photographing, listing, and shipping them) but if the consignment shop doesn’t want them all I’ll probably use ebay. I’ll definitely make an announcement with the link if that’s what ends up going down!
xo,
s
Christy says
I am paring down now!! We have our first child on the way – due in March, and there are a lot of things that I’d like to get rid of by then. My neighborhood garage sale is this weekend, so we have a ton of stuff to sell. We’ll probably just donate the rest to the local women’s shelter. I do not want this stuff back in my house. See, my mother-in-law is a “more is more” person (but she is also a fantastic lady – she just likes stuff). She convinced me to buy lots of unnecessary stuff when we bought our home. She said it took a lot of things to make a house a home. Well, I think I’m selling most of it. I guess my style has also changed in the three years that we’ve lived in our house. Either way, I know exactly what you are going through. It feels kind of cathartic to get this clutter out of my house. :) Good luck getting to 100!
Jessica says
I love this idea. I recently heard a great quote, “use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without” and it has become my new motto. I love having purges, it makes me appreciate what I do keep even more. After a good cleaning/purge I can see the belongings I treasure and actually use. good luck!
Johanna says
I wrote a lengthy comment already, but thought of this link I’d like to share with anyone looking for just the right motivation to get them started on the decluttering and organizing action. Aby Garvey offers online workshops, too, but I found the articles on this page really helpful: http://http://www.simplify101.com/organizing-articles.php
Molly Payne-Hardin says
I don’t think that’s cheap-o :) I think it’s good advice! And I’d definitely do $50 to get some of my grandmother’s things into the hands of another collector who would appreciate them :). Thanks! Molly
Meredith says
Not sure if this was already mentioned, but it might be worth it to take some of these things you might be downsizing (clothes, shoes, Clara’s clothes) to a consignment store! My sister manages one, so I’m kind of obsessed. I’ll take in a bag of clothes, and they’ll cut me a check for $80 or so. Free money, baby!
Also, do you play around with the white balance on the camera? It might help the green wall issue. Although, do you have it set to Vivid/Bright? Your comforter looks pretty bright too…
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Meredith,
Thanks for the camera tips! We’ll have to play around with the white balance and the setting (not sure if it’s on vivid/bright). And as for the consignment suggestion, we’re definitely down to consign. A check for 80 bucks sounds pretty amazing for a bag of stuff we don’t need!
xoxo,
s
emmy says
Oooh! Fun! I started going through all of my things last week and although I only live in about 330 sq. ft. it’s my goal to get rid of at least 100 things. I really think I can do it- there are always things not in use! Good luck, Sherry!
Handy Man, Crafty Woman says
I did a “purge 365 things in 365 days” challenge. I did it from June – June. It was fun…sometimes easy, sometimes not so easy. I wrote about it on our blog. I read about the 365 challenge *somewhere* on the internet; and thought I’d give it a try…it took the whole 12 months, but we did purge, donate or sell 365 items!!!
I made a list of everything, too. Now when I look at the list I think “I don’t even REMEMBER that!” or “Why was I keeping that?”
I’m sure you can find 100 things to purge before the move, easily…
Catherine M. says
An admirable goal! I hope you’re successful! I am extra impressed that you’re listing all this stuff while managing the little lady–that seems even more tricky to me. Anyhow, I just ran across an article in Real Simple that made me think of your purging project: http://www.realsimple.com/work-life/life-strategies/inspiration-motivation/10-ways-let-go-stuff-00000000010583/index.html
Pretty good guidelines for de-cluttering!
Good luck with the move!
Jennifer says
Love this idea. We just relocated from Houston to Perth, Western Australia (our home base) and moved back into our own home must 9 days ago. We had a massive garage sale before we left the States, and I would venture a guess that we have as much stuff set aside after our first week of unpacking for another garage sale. I’ve become so unattached to so many things.
I’ve heard of this 100 idea, and as a few people have mentioned, I’ve also heard that the 10 pairs of shoes would count as 1 item; but I say make up your own rules! Even though January is only a few short weeks away, I’m thinking about implementing a 1-year challenge around the house of the 365-day-toss-out and getting rid of one item a day for the whole year; even if one time its something as simple as a pair of over-stretched undies.
My best get-rid-of-stuff tip is to keep an empty box in the garage/under-stair-storage/closet – wherever, and whenever you find something around you want to get rid of, toss it in. When its full, take it to the Salvos. Works like a charm!
Courtney says
We are closing in a little over a week and today, are making our second trip to Goodwill. Not only was it freeing to get rid of sweaters I hadn’t worn since highschool – 12 years ago – eek!, But it’s nice to get in the mindset of starting fresh. This will be our first home purchase together and we’re both thrilled! Anything to make the job easier – not moving what we don’t need, wear, like, etc. – is key. ; )
Jennah says
Can I have your Chucks? I soooo want a pair that color!
Also props for having only 18 pairs of shoes. I really need to purge.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, they found a new home with an 11 year old girl today. She was crazy excited. It was so cute.
xo,
s
Kim Leggett says
Hey guys, we are doing the same thing in a big way! It all started as a clearing out – I hate clutter. Now, we have sold our 1890s home, that we completely restored for 3 years. We are moving from that 3200 sq. ft. house to a 900 sq. ft. house. Now, this stuff really has to go!!!! We even have a website & blog dedicated to “The Great Sell Off”. You can read the story on our website: http://www.thegreatselloff.com & follow our blog: http://www.thegreatselloff.blogspot.com. We are selling on ebay too – user id, thegreatselloff – of course. But… that doesn’t necessarily mean that I won’t buy something – so I would love to know if you list something on ebay. Here’s to a “Great Sell Off” for all!
Nick Klaus says
Every time I’m moving back in my childhood room (the place where most of my possessions reside) I get rid of things, mostly books I no longer read or clothes that don’t fit. there’s something incredibly cathartic about getting rid of things I no longer care about. This keeps my inevitable moving costs down. I can fit all my stuff inside my car.
Kim says
I did this a few years back and making a list helps you keep track! I took a blank piece of paper and numbered it 1-100, and wrote the items down as they went into the Goodwill pile (very helpful with doing your tax write-offs at the end of the year too to have the itemized list instead of their blank “receipt”). Most of what we donated were dishes, and it was really easy to get to 100! That kind of spring cleaning is very cleansing and makes you feel good when you’re done, to know you’re only holding on to the things you really love and need :)
Michie says
We are systematically declittering around our house. The first “room” was the garage and that was crazy! We took a carload of stuff to Goodwill and Habitat for Humanity Restore. Then we tackled our coy closet/linen closet. The coats went to needy children and the linens and towels went to the local SPCA. It feels so good to purge!
Sharon Lambirth says
When I had younger kids I started using Flylady routines and one of the teachings is to get rid of clutter, because you can’t clean it. If you don’t LOVE it or haven’t used it, bless someone else with it. I still have areas I have ignored (like the attic) so I hope I don’t have to move. Ever.
Barbie says
Before I put something NEW in my closet, I take out an OLD item. Old items go either to the local thrift shop or a neighborhood consignment store. This system keeps the closet clutter manageable. Somehow it’s easier to say “goodbye” to an item when I know I’ll be saying “hello” to a new item. Good luck!